Ground Zero | In Punjab, fear of the return of ‘dark days’

/ repeat shuffle Anil Kumar, a 62-year-old cloth merchant in Ajnala in western Punjab, was anguished. Senior Superintendent of Police Satinder Singh said, “According to the evidence given by Lovepreet’s supporters, he was not present at the spot where the alleged incident occurred. Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said “action will be taken against those who attacked the police” after “analysing the video footage.” Anil said seeing the mob carrying weapons at Ajnala reminded him of the days when youngsters would walk the streets of Punjab, some four decades ago, flaunting guns and swords. ‘Failure of intelligence’ Incidents such as the one at Ajnala and the lack of action taken against the mob will only “embolden radical elements,” said Shashi Kant, a former Punjab DGP, who has served in numerous intelligence agencies. While I don’t see any revival of the Khalistan movement in the absence of popular support, concerns over the activeness of Khalistan sympathisers or pro-militant elements across Punjab and other States can’t be ignored.” Since Punjab is a border state, law and order has always been a delicate domain and the government needs to handle such sensitive situations carefully, others said.